Recently, Keyfield International, a Malaysian maritime shipping company, signed a contract through its subsidiary Keyfield Resolute with Jiangsu Shunhong Marine Technology Co Ltd. (Jiangsu Shunhong Marine Technology) to build a new diesel-electric hybrid anchor handling tug supply vessel (AHTS). The vessel is valued at approximately US$18 million and is expected to enter charter operations in 2027 or 2028.
This AHTS vessel employs a 90-ton class diesel-electric DP2 propulsion system. This shipbuilding contract marks not the first collaboration between the two parties; Jiangsu Shunhong Marine Technology has previously constructed and delivered multiple offshore support vessels for this shipowner, including the Keyfield Wisdom.
According to information disclosed by the shipowner, its existing fleet primarily operates under long-term charters. The construction of this new DP2-class AHTS vessel represents a key component of its strategic plan, aimed at allocating more resources to the anchor handling tug supply market while expanding its international chartering operations.
Keyfield stated that under the shipbuilding contract, representatives will be assigned to oversee the entire shipbuilding project to mitigate risks related to delivery timelines or technical specifications.